Protective device for search-lights.



G. HENNINGS.

PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR SEARCH LIGHTS.

A?PL!CATION FILED MAR. 18, 1915.

Patented Dec.14,1915.

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22 l0 0 Y I I I t L h I (I 2 I2 15 ,1 0} '6 l imwg 22 Inventor: Gustav HenninQs, M

His Attorney UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAV HENNINGS, OF PANKOW, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELEGTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1915.

Application filed March 18, 1915. Serial No. 15,195.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAV Hnmvmos, a subject of the King of Prussia, residing at Pankow, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Protective Devices for Search-Lights, of which the following in a specification.

My invention relates to a protecting device for searchlights and the like, and more particularly to a device for protecting the reflector and other parts of the searchlight against particles of carbon or other matter from the arc.

The reflector of a Searchlight should of course be kept free from deposit in order to properly reflect the light from the are. A deposit of carbon particles coming from the are is particularly liable to take place upon the reflector when the Searchlight is elevated for the purpose of picking up and following air ships, for example, as such particles then fall directly upon the reflector.

My invention provides a screen formed of a plurality of segments located in front of the part to be protected and which, when the searchlight is in an elevated position, prevents a serious deposit on the reflector as cllcctively as when the searchlight is in the horizontal position; in the latter case the segments of the screen are in an open position, so as to permit the passage of the maximum amount of light. When, on the other hand, the Searchlight is elevated, means are provided for closing the segments so that an effective screen is formed be tween the arc and the reflector, which intercepts any particles which may come from the arc and prevents their deposition on the reflector.

For a fuller understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side view, partially insection, of a searchlight mechanism embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view, Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the position assumed by the different parts when the searchlightis elevated, and Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the position of the reflector relative to the other parts of the lamp.

Referring to the drawings, 10 and 11 are the electrodes of a Searchlight embodying my invention. A screen is located between the arc and the part to be protected from particles coming from the are. In the present case, this is the reflector (shown in Fig. 4) which is located to the side of the screen behind the arc. The screen is i'ormedof a plurality of segments or vanes 12, which are journaled at their inner ends in a shell or sleeve 13 supported by the frame Hand suitably insulated at 13. The outer ends of the segments 12 are journaled in a circular frame'lo which is supported from the shell 13 by bracket arms 16. The vanes areprovided at their inner ends with rods or stems l7 and at their outer ends withstemslS which constitute the journals for the vanes. A collar 19 is rotatably mounted on the shell 13, preferably by means of ball-bearings 20. The edge of this collar is formed with a toothed rim 21 which engages pinions 22 secured to the stems 17 mounted on the vanes. One of the stems 18 at the outer end of its vane extends beyond the ring 15, as shown at 23 (see Fig. 2). A pendent weight 2*!- is secured to this extension in such a position that when the Searchlight occupies a horizontal position, the weight will maintain its segment in such a position that its plane passes through the axis of the electrodes.

The operation of my device is ver simple and is as follows: When the search ight occupies its normal horizontal position in which no serious deposit of carbon from the arc takes place upon the reflector, the weight maintains its vane in such a position that the plane of the vane passes through the axis of the electrodes and through the action of the pinions 22 and the collar 19, the remaining vanes are held in a similar position, in which position they do not intercept any appreciable amount of light. Now when the searchlight is elevated, the wcightswings its vane into a position at right angles to that previously assumed. The movement of the given vane through the action of its pinion and the collar 19 causes the remaining vanes or segments to move in unison with the given segment into the positions indicated in Fig. 3.

. In this position the various segments form a practically closed screen which intercepts any carbon or other particles coming from the arc and prevents their deposit on the reflector.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the prim ciple'of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which 1 now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can he carried out by other means.

W hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentof the United States, is,

l. A protecting device for a searchlight movable in a substantially vertical plane comprising a screen located between the arc and the part to be protected and formed of a plurality of segments, and means responsive to the movement of the Searchlight for causing the various segments to assume an open or closed position in accordance with the position of the searchlight.

2i protecting device "for a searchlight movaoio in substantially vertical planev con'iprising a screen between the arcvand part to be inotectcd comprising; a Pill,

of pivoted segments, means responthe movement oi the searchlight for said segments about their axes and n5; them to assume an open or closed in accordance with the position of position the searchhght.

protecting device for a searehlight mo a substantially vertical plane co a screen located between the are an part to be protected comprising LEOIlHGCl of a. plurality of pivoted inen'ts, means for moving one of the ments to an open or closed position in accordance with the movement of the searchlight, and meansrior causing the remaining segments to move in unison with the given segment.

l. A protecting device for a searchlight movable in a substantially vertical plane comprising a screen located between the arc and the part to be protected comprising a screen formed of a plurality of pivoted segments, a weight For moving one of said segments to an open orclosed position in accordance with the position of the searchlight, and means for causing the remaining segments to move in unison with the given segment.

5. A protectingdevice for a searchlight movable in a substantially vertical plane comprising outer and inner frames, a pin rality of segments or blades pivoted in said frames, and means responsive to the move-- ment of the searchlight'for causing said segments to assume open or closed positions in accordance with the position of the searchlight.

in witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of February, 1915. GUSTAV HENNINGS. Witnesses Gowns RUMLAND, Anrnioi) Flow. 

